McClaren hints at England changes

McClaren will name his team to face Russia at lunchtime on Wednesday

England v Russia

Wembley Stadium

Wednesday, 12 September

Kick-off: 2000 BSTLive coverage on BBC One, BBC Radio 5live & the BBC Sport website

England boss Steve McClaren has hinted he is likely to make changes for his side's crucial Euro 2008 qualifier against Russia at Wembley on Wednesday.

McClaren was impressed with the way England beat Israel 3-0 on Saturday but said: "This is a tougher challenge. "Russia play a different system. They have an excellent defensive record and will be difficult to break down. "As much as I would like to keep the same shape, formation and personnel, we may have to tweak one or two things." McClaren's biggest decision is whether to stick with Emile Heskey up front or recall Peter Crouch, who missed the game against Israel because of suspension. "Peter is a big player for us," added McClaren. "He scores goals and has a good partnership with Michael Owen so it is great to have that option coming back. "We have looked at one or two things and we have tried one or two things and I will confirm the team at lunchtime on Wednesday at the team meeting. "The decisions you make are the ones necessary to win the game. "It doesn't matter as long as they work. When decisions work you are brave, when they don't you are a fool. We have got to make sure we perform and play at a tempo like we did in the first 20 minutes against Israel. The crowd got behind the players and they will play a big part as well Steve McClaren"I wouldn't say I was brave to bring Emile back, I felt it was necessary. I felt he could come back and help us win and he certainly did that on Saturday."

With four games to go in Group E, England are at a pivotal point in their qualification campaign and McClaren is confident they can rise to the occasion. "Can we win every game? I think so," stated McClaren. "If we play like we did on Saturday then we have every chance. "It is down to the nitty-gritty now. We can't afford any slip-ups and players know that. "It is like the run-in to a Championship title or being in the quarter-finals or semi-finals of a cup. We can see the finish line and that is when you need total concentration. Our players are good at that. "We have got to make sure we perform and play at a tempo like we did in the first 20 minutes against Israel. The crowd got behind the players and they will play a big part as well. "A win against Russia would put us in a very good position in the group." England captain John Terry is expecting a tough test from Guus Hiddink's side. "We need to lift our game," Terry said. "Russia are a much more organised side and it will be a lot tougher game. The game against Russia on Wednesday is going to be a lot more difficult, we understand that, but we have the players to do very well Steven Gerrard"We have to rise to the challenge - we did it at the weekend and we have to do it again. "You have to move on very quick in these games so we can't dwell on Saturday's win. We have had one good result and one good performance - we need four. "The confidence is certainly there though. Beating Israel reassured us that we can play to our best and we need to maintain a level of consistency now."

Meanwhile, England midfielder Steven Gerrard has called for the national side to end its recent record of under-achievement. The Liverpool star said: "This is the best England squad I have been involved in since I started with England in 2000. "We have under-achieved of late and we need to deliver. With the quality we've got I don't think the quarter-finals is enough. We should be doing better." Gerrard enjoyed Saturday's win over Israel but predicts Russia will provide a stiffer test for his side. He added: "The most important thing is for the players to do the talking on the pitch. "There is no point in me sitting here saying that is the turning point and we are going to play great in the future. "We've got to go out and prove that but Saturday was certainly a positive performance. "The game against Russia on Wednesday is going to be a lot more difficult, we understand that, but we have the players to do very well." With both Frank Lampard and Owen Hargreaves ruled out of Wednesday's game because of thigh injuries, Gerrard is likely to partnered in midfield by Gareth Barry. The two midfielders linked superbly against Israel on Saturday. "I'm not sure whether everybody knows what good friends we are off the pitch,"

Gerrard told BBC Sport. "The communication was there, we weren't strangers and that was the key to the partnership working." Croatia top the group with 20 points from eight matches followed by Russia on 18. England are level on 17 points with Israel who have played one game more. courtesy of bbc.co.uk